Klein has all the answers in regional semifinal sweep of Rowlett

WACO — Rowlett coach Paul Carmon had the simplest of explanations after his
team was swept from the playoffs with an 8-4 loss to Klein in the Class 5A
Region II semifinals at Baylor Ballpark.

“Klein is better than Rowlett,” Carmon said. “We played hard, and pitched
good. … They were just a little bit better than we were. We had some chances,
but we didn’t make the most of them.”

In both games, Klein rallied to immediately answer Rowlett runs in the late
innings.

On Saturday, Rowlett (30-8) took the lead, 2-1, in the fifth, after left
fielder Jerad Wilson hit a leadoff double and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
But Klein (27-10) — last year’s 5A state runner-up — rallied for seven runs in
the final two innings. Klein had nine batters up in both the sixth and seventh
innings.

It’s a bittersweet end to the high school careers of Rowlett’s senior class,
one of the most storied in school history. Three of the last four seasons,
Rowlett has advanced to the regional semifinals.

“It’s a great group,” Carmon said.

Klein advanced to face District 13-5A rival Klein Oak in the regional
final.

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